Friday, December 4, 2015

Holidays (Federal or Bavaria specific) and Important Dates December 25, 26 Christmas (note: stores will be closed after mid afternoon December 24) Note: December 27 is a Sunday, so stores will be closed for THREE days! See below for some things that are open in the area.December 31 New Year´s Eve (stores will be closed early)See here for last year´s post on New Year´s Eve (Silvester) traditions in Germany. School holidays December 24 - January 6, 2015Events (by no means a complete list)HerzoDecember 1 - 18 Children´s Christmas Huts- arts and crafts from 2-5pm, see link for additional activitiesDecember 1-24 Living Advent Calendar- the door is opened at 5pm and followed by musicDecember 3-6 Christmas MarketDecember 5 - City walk with the Mayor - free of charge, 2:30 pm

December 25 - The Nutcracker, Russian National Ballet, Würzburg,tickets from €25

Other things to do?

It´s Bockbier Anstich time! That time of year that the Bockbier kegs are tapped. Find a list of local Anstichen (the celebration the day the first keg is tapped) here. New to the area? Click here for a list of tours in the area in English.From September to April - Public ice skating at Nürnberg Arena (W, Th, F, Sunday- during school holidays and feiertage also Monday and Tuesday). Day trip to Kulmbach, a beautiful city known for it´s beer. (1.5 hours from Nürnberg).

Take a day ski trip! Loads of companies organize them. Wöhrl, Jochen Schweizer,Snowstars, Intersport (ask at the store for brochures) for example. Sign up for a class at the Volkshochschule. In addition to language classes, they offer wine tasting classes, exercise classes, art classes, and excursions/tours! (and more!)Take the Bamberg Beer Tasting Tour €22 Self guided, comes with backpack and allows you 5 beers at various breweries. Other suggested day trips (earlier post on this blog) here. Take your own wine walk in Nürnberg (link in German, map on right hand side of page).Cycling and hiking tours (or self guided) in the Würzburg wine region here. Bike the Regnitz Bike Path between Nürnberg and Bamberg- information and various tours to take (in German) here.

Take a self guided tour of Erlangen. Or any one of these can be booked in English.VGN has suggested walks and bike rides on their website (in English). Vineyard walk here, Rocks and caves walk here. See all of VGN´s suggestions for things to do here (in English). In German, you can read about all of their leisure bus lines and suggested routes/things to see and do in the area, a few are described in English here. In or around Herzo? Information on hiking paths can be found here in English.Have you visited Forchheim? An adorable city less than 45 minutes away from Nürnberg, information in English, including a self guided tour brochure for download here. Visit the Nürnberg Planetarium. Go (indoor) rockclimbing. Kids just €2,50. Other indoor climbing in Erlangen and BambergRock cut beer celler tours (Nürnberg) every Sunday 11:30am in English. €5 Take a hike! Link to VGN hiking information site here (English). Combine hiking and beer with the 5 Seidla Tour (English). Hiking trails in and around Herzo here. Nature parks in the region may be found here (link in German, click on interaktiven Karte for the map). Franken Tourist center suggested hikes here (right side), biking here. Head to the Frankischer Schweiz (link in English) for breweries, hiking, castles, rock climbing, canoeing and more. An interactive map of hiking trails in the Frankischer Schweiz can be found here. Visit a pool or sauna- Atlantis is in Herzo, Nürnberg has many to choose from (link in German), Stein (near Nürnberg) is home of Palm Beach, Bamberg has Bambados Can´t decide? Schwimmbadcheck is an online review site for public pools, link is in English.

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

The Siemens Choir will be having a Christmas concert on December 6 in Erlangen. A brief introduction will be given in English, and a large portion of the carols will also be in the English language. Learn more about the Siemens Choir here.

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

With just about four weeks of Christmas Market time, and sooo many to choose from, I thought it might be fun to note the (totally subjective) highpoints and/or lowpoints of some local Markets! Note: Times listed are by train to the city itself, rather than the Market itself, using Nürnberg Hbf as a reference point.An overview of Christmas Markets in 14 Franconian cities (in English) can be found here. For Christmas Markets in Bavaria centered around castles and gardens, see here.

Never been to a Christmas Market in Germany? The Local has a visual guide to what to expect, Grounded Traveler wrote a bit more. Augsburg (2 hours)Augsburg´s Market, with more than 130 booths, is open November 23-December 24 (Monday-Thursday, Sunday, 10-8pm, Fri-Sat 10-9:30pm). What differenciates this market from the rest are the Angel Performance (Fri-Sun 6pm, December 23 7 pm) where 24 Angels (representing 24 days of Advent) perform at the Rathaus which is turned into a living Advent Calendar. Also noteworthy is the Fairytale Street where moving window displays tell a fairytale. NOTE: November 27 the market is open until midnight! Bamberg (45 minutes from Nürnberg)

Photo: Eva Acoff used with permissio

Bamberg´s main Christmas Market is open at Maxplatz November 26th – December 23rdMonday till Saturday: 09:00 till 20:00Sunday: 11:00 till 20:00. Though nice, it´s not anything out of the ordinary. Glühwein, ornaments, scarves, etc. for sale.

From November 27-29 by St. Elizabeth´s Church (Sandstraße), however, is a fantastic traditional market featuring all home made wares. More info here. December 12 - 13 Don Bosco Christmas Market with over 50 artists selling handmade goods. Jakobsplatz 5.

Not a Weihnachtsmarkt, but related to Christmas, Bamberg is world renowned as a city of Nativity Scenes. Plan your walk around town to the about 400 Nativity scenes (link in English to descriptions of each Nativity. The broschure Krippenstadt Bamberg available at the Tourist Info Center and Rathaus with a map) at 40 different stops. The Bamberg Navity Museum is not to miss, with nativities from around Germany, and around the world.

Cadolzburg (45 minutes)

Cadolzburg´s Advent Market is open November 29-30 and recommended by several HENhaus members as a favorite!. This market features homemade items for sale. The castle looks "like a fairytale".

From Bayern.by "On 29 and 30 November the Cadolzburg near Fürth is also celebrating Advent. Thetraditional artisans’ market takes place in the medieval atmosphere of the castle’s bailey, where numerous stall-holders offer jewellery, textiles, handicrafts, ceramics and floral art. The seasonal activities are not confined to the castle: on the Marktplatz and the Pisendelplatz of the little town of Cadolzburg itself there is also an Advent market, surrounded by historical half-timbered houses.

Erlangen (17 minutes)Erlangen has two Christmas Markets, open November 25 - December 24. By Schlossplatz is the Forest Market, the Erlanger Waldweihnacht, with more of a forest atmosphere. I love the mulch on the ground, and the trees that look like this, it´s a personal favorite. TIP: The Kinderbackstube- kids can bake their own Erlanger Wichtel (€2, estimated time 30 minutes). Reserve a spot here. There is also a wreath making station.TIP: Erlangen on Ice (free ice skating, just pay skate rental) is right there as well! The Medieval Christmas Market in Erlangen is also recommended. Entertainment, cosy open fires, and more. This one gets very crowded, so get their early. More on both in English here.

Forchheim (40 minutes)

Adorable Forchheim hosts a fantastic Christmas Market from November 29 - December 24 (12-8 pm daily, December 24 9am - 1pm). The highlight is Advent Calendar deemed the most beautiful in the world (per their website, of course) located at the Rathaus. Live music starts at 5:30 daily, the window opening by the Forchheim Christmas Angel at 6:30pm. Forchheim is also well known for their Nativity Trail. A downloadable map of their Nativity Trail, or Krippenweg, and more information in German can be found here.

TIP: Take a tour of the Christmas Market, including some of the Nativity Trail for €6 in English. This also includes a mug of Glühwein, Lebkuchen (ginger bread).

TIP: The market extends all the way from Sattlertorstraße to the Kaiserpfalz, be sure to see it all!

Fürth (7 minutes)

Fürth also has several Christmas Markets to choose from.

The Altstadtweihnachtsmarkt runs from the 4th to 13th of December. Highlight? The Nightwatchman closing the market at 8pm.

The Fürther Weihnachtsmarkt runs from November 26 - December 23 daily 10a - 11pm. A 5 minute walk from the main train station. Attached to this market,, is a Middle Ages Market. Small, but cozy, with loads of open fires to sit by, link to their Facebook page, with photos from last year here.

TIP: For a nice break from traditional Christmas Market fare, eat at the Middle Ages Market. Last year they had loads of soups, sandwiches made from hemp bread, Irish food, among other items.

Herzogenaurach

Also recommended by a HENhaus member, the Herzogenaurach Weinachtsmarkt is from December 4-6. More information, and the daily program in English may be found here. Nordheim (1.75 by train, 1.25 by car) In Franconian wine country, and only on the weekends of November 21-22 and 28-29! Recommended by a member as being well worth the trip for their " art gallery, wine tasting counter, indoor shops, and local Weihnacht Quintet". Click here for more info and directions. Nürnberg

Photo: Roland Berger, Wikipedia

Dating back to 1628, one of the oldest Christmas markets in Germany. With 180 stands, one of the largest and most famous as well! The famous Christkind will open the Market in a ceremony at 5:30 on opening day, November 27, and make appearances throughout the Market time. Loads of traditional "Christmas Market Stuff" and more. Highlights include the stagecoach, or horse and carriage rides (info here), the Market of the Sister Cities with gift and food items from Nürnberg´s 20 sister and partner cities around the world (personal favorite), the Children´s Market Kinderweihnacht with hands on activities for kids to do, and the lantern procession where 1,500 children take to the streets, lead by the Christkind, carrying lanterns (December 10. 5:45pm this year). More info, including a plan of the many stands and the program of events can be found here. Information specifically geared towards a visit with children can be found here. TIP: Weekends and Opening Day are crowded. Get there early. The Handwerkerhof (near the Hbf) is also a great place to visit during Christmas season.

Regensburg (about 1 hour)

Regensburg has several Christmas Markets to choose from from November 26 - December 23. More information here.

The Romantic Christmas Market at Schloss Thurn and Taxis was recommended by several HENhaus members. This market focuses on handmade regional crafts, and is normally less crowded than the Altstadt Market. Especially noted were the many log fires around the castle courtyard to sit by. TIP: The Princess of Thurn und Taxis welcomes the guests from the castle balcony every night and recites the Christmas Story. The Christkind recites poems. Entry M-F €6,50 adults, weekends €8,50. Kids €2 Under 6 freeTIP: Accoding to a HENhaus member, waiting for the reduced rates (after 8pm M-F, 9 pm S-Sun) are not worth it. During those times the market is SUPER busy. While there, take a tour of the city. Information about regularly scheduled guided tours in English here.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber (1.5 hours)

Photo: Wikipedia

One of the area´s prettiest (and most visited!) cities, with winding paths,the Rothenburg Reitleresmarkt goes from November 27- December 23 throughout the small city. More on the market, and why it´s called the Reitleresmarkt (as opposed to Weihnachtsmarkt) here in English. The town prides itself on their Schneeballs. TIP: On Fridays and Saturdays the Town Tower will be open, allowing visitors a view over the city and the magical market. TIP: SUPER small town, SUPER popular with tourists, not only those going as a family, but boat and bus tours that come in groups of hundreds at a time......all year round, and especially at Christmas. Allow extra time for everything.

Vilshofen (about 2 hours)

The Schwimmender Christkindlmarkt is not only lines the river Danube, but part of it is takes place on ships ON the Danube. Friday- Sundays only, November 27 - December 13. Friday 4-8pm, Saturday 2-8 pm, Sunday, 1-8pm.

Würzburg (1.25 hours)

The Würzburg Market runs from November 27 - December 23 (Mon-Sat 10a - 8:30p, Sun 11a- 8:30p) in the in the upper and lower Market Squares. Over 100 stalls. A PDF of Christmas related tours, etc. can be found here. TIP: On weekends a city tour by train is available during Advent season. €8 Adults, €6 children, about 40 minutes. TIP: There is a local artisan´s market at the Rathaus (November 27 - December 23, 10a-8:30p Mon - Friday, 11a- 8:30p Sundays, enter at Domstraße). You can watch local artisans create pottery, blow glass, work with iron, etc. as well as purchase hand made gifts. Entrance: free. These are just some of the bigger Christmas Markets in the area, or those that have been recommended. Want to find a Weihnachtsmarkt near you? Use the Christmas Market finder here (in German), just type in your zip code (PLZ).

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

NOTE: Many supermarkets have the same name, but are independently owned and operated, and may not carry the same products. To find a location near you, click on the supermarket´s name (link) and go to "Filialfinder"- from there, put in your PLZ.See here for the Toytown Germany wiki about American and British foods in Germany. Though it is focused on Munich, much rings true here as well. Well worth to read in it´s entirety, as there are also links to food subsitution sites, reviews of websites that send food overseas, etc. Larger SupermarketsLarger Supermarkets will more likely have a butchery and cheese section where you can get products cut to your liking, or get advice on what to purchase.Real - Most Reals will have International aisles- with specialties from USA, Mediterranean countries, Japan, China, Russia, etc.Real also carries household goods, limited appliances and electronics and sporting goods. In the produce section, local items are often stocked together.PG TippsNewman´s Own Caesar Salad dressingKraft Mac and CheeseCampbell´s Tomato Soup.Ritz Crackers (snack aisle)Marshmallow Fluff (sweets aisle)Heinz Baked BeansHeinz Tomatoe SoupRewe (note: has limited delivery service)Limited salad bars in most stores. Focus here is on food, rather than other goods. Most larger Rewe´s have an international section.Karamellcreme (similar to Dulche de Leche)A&W Root BeerCream SodasHellmann´s MayonaisseCorn Starch (Maiz Starker)Pimms (Karlzuckerstraße)See here for prior post on Rewe Getränkemarkt Bamberg Pödeldorferstraße Edeka also focuses on food, other than Edeka Super Centers which have other household/sports/small appliance items.Dr. Oetker Double Cream (similar to UK Double Cream)Okra (jarred)Corn Starch (Maiz Starker)Pimms (Alterlangen)Fondant, icing, food coloring, cake decorations (Alterlangen)McVities Digestives (Alterlangen)Kaufland, like Real, a larger supermarket carrying limited appliances, electronics, toys, sporting goods.Filo dough FilotiegPlantainsCathedral City CheddarWheetabixGlobus (Forchheim) The largest supermarket in the area, closest thing to a WalMart.TegutUncle Cracker Natsnacks (similar to Triscuit) - Paprika, Natural and Olive Oil/Pepper flavorsKarstadt, Nürnberg (Perfetto)Mint Jelly Clotted CreamMint SauceFrank´s Hot SauceBetty Crocker cake mixes and frostingsDiscount Supermarkets: Discount supermarkets are smaller and have therefore a more limited selection. They make up for this by having special "weeks" when specialty products are sold (Italian week, American week, Austrian week, etc.). The discount supermarkets also alternate their non-food items by week- kitchen week, garden tool, knitting items week, running week, etc. Check their circulars for current specials.Discount supermarkets will only sell pre-packaged cheese and meats (no butchery for example).Norma Norma carries a variety of brand name items as well as their own brand. Norma´s produce focuses on local items when available, and they are clearly labeled as such.Bacon Aufschnitt is the closest I have found to American baconAldi Aldi carries mostly their own brand. Brand name items can occasionally be found.Hummus English Bacon (thinner)Lidl Lidl carries their own brands of items, as well as a limited selection of brand name items. Lidl´s British week usually includes rather good (and inexpensive) cheddar cheese.Caesar salad with chicken and parmesan- pre packaged. While it inexplicably comes with noodles, I´ve found that dressing the closest to American style Caesar dressing.Reduced fat ground beef (pre-packaged)During Specialty Week (list from English Native Speakers in Germany)Baked BeansBlackcurrant JuiceCaramel ShortbreadCheddar CheeseCod FilletsCorned BeefFish & ChipsJamsShortbreadWhiskyYogurtsNetto Nettor markets itself as brand name for less.Bio Markets - While most supermarkets carry organic (or bio) products, these carry ONLY organic products.Denn`sEblSpecialty MarketsMixMarkt (site in English)- Carries a variety of international foods, focus on Russian, Polish, Czech foods at my local branch. Great selection of pierogies. Locations in Bamberg, Forchheim, Nürnberg.DM Not a supermarket, rather a drogerie, they carry lines of (canned/dried/boxed) bio products, gluten free and lactose free products.Waltmann, Erlangen Not a supermarket, but a FANTASTIC place for cheese. They also hold cheese seminars/classes.Delicatessen Müller, Bamberg Carries a number of marinades, sauces, as well as their own (fresh or frozen). Carries Stonewall Kitchen marinades and sauces (USA) and Spice Islands spice mixes (USA)Mex-Al, Forchheim A restaurant supplier for local Mexican shops, they also sell to the public. You can visit their store in Forchheim, or order online. Australiss, Erlangen Australian specialty foodsMercato Di Dio (Nürnberg and Bamberg) Large supermarket with Italian specialties- including fresh fish! Both locations also have small restaurants.Culinaria Italia, Bamberg Italian specialties, as well as dine in restaurant during business hours. Also takes online orders. Ghandi Asian Shop (near Erlangen Bahnhof) Often has cilantro, random Johnson´s baby products, self rising flour, Nestle condensed milk, and PG Tipps.DLB Shop, Fürth, Order online or visit their shop for American food and household itemsAmerican Store, Frauengasse 19, Nürnberg (note: website reflects just clothing. The store has food)British Empire Shop, Nürnberg Second floor of the store has some British food itemsPC-Icebox Oberasbach Advertises that they have over 2,000 American items in their shop

Sunday, October 4, 2015

Celebrate the Indian festival of Navratri in Erlangen! The event, to be held at Pacelli-Haus, costs just €8 per person. The details of the event can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/ErlangenGarba2014For more information, email erlangen.garba@gmail.com

It´s Bockbier Anstich time! That time of year that the Bockbier kegs are tapped. Find a list of local Anstichen (the celebration the day the first keg is tapped) here. It´s young wine time. Starting Over In Stuttgart blog has a great post on the subject here. New to the area? Click here for a list of tours in the area in English.From September to April - Public ice skating at Nürnberg Arena (W, Th, F, Sunday- during school holidays and feiertage also Monday and Tuesday). Day trip to Kulmbach, a beautiful city known for it´s beer. (1.5 hours from Nürnberg). Sign up for a class at the Volkshochschule. In addition to language classes, they offer wine tasting classes, exercise classes, art classes, and excursions/tours! (and more!)Take the Bamberg Beer Tasting Tour €22 Self guided, comes with backpack and allows you 5 beers at various breweries. Other suggested day trips (earlier post on this blog) here. Take your own wine walk in Nürnberg (link in German, map on right hand side of page).Visit the corn maze at Beerenland. Cycling and hiking tours (or self guided) in the Würzburg wine region here. Bike the Regnitz Bike Path between Nürnberg and Bamberg- information and various tours to take (in German) here.

Take a self guided tour of Erlangen. Or any one of these can be booked in English.VGN has suggested walks and bike rides on their website (in English). Vineyard walk here, Rocks and caves walk here. See all of VGN´s suggestions for things to do here (in English). In German, you can read about all of their leisure bus lines and suggested routes/things to see and do in the area, a few are described in English here. Frankenkids has put together a list of family friendly beer gardens in the area. Scroll down here. KERWA SEASON!Though Kerwas or Kirchweihs can be found year round, October seems to be the end of the "season". Bamberg and vicinity here. Nürnberg (PDF) here, see here for links to the websites when available. Highlights of Erlangen´s Kirchweihs and other events here. Frankischer Schweiz Kirchweihs here. Click here (see left hand side) for Franken in general.Kletterwald (link to Rothenberg o.d. Tauber) or climbing forests are fun for kids of all ages. Pottenstein and Bad Staffelstein are also not far away, and close enough for a day trip. Prices vary, but around €15 per child, €20 per adult for 3-4 hours.In or around Herzo? Information on hiking paths can be found here in English.Have you visited Forchheim? An adorable city less than 45 minutes away from Nürnberg, information in English, including a self guided tour brochure for download here. Altstadtfest is June 26 - 28 of this year. Information here.Check out the Fränkisches Freiland Museum, Bad Windsheim - great with kids. Visit the Nürnberg Planetarium. Find a local Beer Keller here! My personal favorites here. Go (indoor) rockclimbing. Kids just €2,50. Rock cut beer celler tours (Nürnberg) every Sunday 11:30am in English. €5 Take a hike! Link to VGN hiking information site here (English). Combine hiking and beer with the 5 Seidla Tour (English). Hiking trails in and around Herzo here. Nature parks in the region may be found here (link in German, click on interaktiven Karte for the map). Franken Tourist center suggested hikes here (right side), biking here. Head to the Frankischer Schweiz (link in English) for breweries, hiking, castles, rock climbing, canoeing and more. An interactive map of hiking trails in the Frankischer Schweiz can be found here. Visit a pool or sauna- Atlantis is in Herzo, Nürnberg has many to choose from (link in German), Stein (near Nürnberg) is home of Palm Beach, Bamberg has Bambados Can´t decide? Schwimmbadcheck is an online review site for public pools, link is in English.

Go to a beer keller or garden! Try Forchheim´s famous Kellerwald (click here for map and description in German). It´s little less than 30 minutes train ride from Nberg Hbf and then a bit of a walk. It´s wine festival time! With so many wineries in the lower Franconian region there´s a festival every weekend. Check out the list (in English) here (in English). The area is about one hour from Nürnberg by train.

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